Most red cards in one game: Referee Damien Rubino set world record (Video)

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina -- Referee Damian Rubino showed 36 red cards during a match in Argentina between rivals Claypole and Victoriano Arenas -
setting the new world record for the Most red cards isued in a single game. Photo: An Argentinian referee has broken a Guinness world record by sending off 36 players during a football match that turned into a mass brawl. (enlarge photo)

The previous Guinness world record was 20 from a Paraguayan match played in 1993.

Guinness World Records also recognized The most yellow cards issued in a FIFA World Cup championship match: 14, in Spain's 1-0 victory over the Netherlands in Johannesburg, South Africa, on 11 July 2010.

Rubino sent off all 22 players as well as all substitutes and technical staff as a mass brawl erupted during the game.

The tense game between rival teams Claypole and Victoriano Arenas in the Argentine fifth division started messily with players pushing and shoving.

The match was constantly interrupted fights and scuffles.

By the start of the second half, two players had already been dismissed, including one for bad behaviour during the interval.

Towards the end of the match, a huge brawl broke out which included the players, coaches and even the fans who were running onto the field challenging the athletes to fights.

Match official Damian Rubino started brandishing cards in a desperate attempt to regain control of the encounter, but things went from bad to worse as fans started to jump over the barriers and get involved.

Victoriano Arenas boss Domingo Sganga claims he feared for his life, and begged police to lock the players in the dressing room.

But Claypole boss Sergio Micieli saw it differently, claiming that Rubino "was confused," and that most of those involved in the fight were actually trying to break it up. Needless to say, the Argentine FA have launched an investigation.